Sunday, Mayo 16, 1926
Buenos Aires – We had a very successful Sunday School and meeting at Friedrich’s in the morning at 10 and 11, 58 present. In pm held German SS and Sacrament meeting. At 6 meeting for children, 100 present and we got along better. A few adults came out at 7.45 and we had a good meeting. The children are still a problem and I have come to the conclusion that to properly take care of them we will have to have a police at the door. After meeting I had a long conversation with the Dentist friend.
Monday, Mayo 17, 1926
Buenos Aires – Policeman called this morning and I arranged with him to be at our meetings to make kids keep order. In afternoon we took train ride out into some of nearby country towns. First time we have been out of Buenos Aires. There are plenty of country places to do missionary work, and I am of the impression with better results than here in the city. Wrote letters to Elders Haymore, Huish, Bro H.H. Cummings and Irvin Stevens. Also to Emaline.
Tuesday, Mayo 18, 1926
Buenos Aires – I wrote to Nena, Melba and Helaman, but these letters will not leave here till the 20 of the Mo. In the pm visited an investigator by the name of Senora Eladia Sifuentes, on Calle Emilio Castro 6880. Sr Molares was also there and we spent a very profitable afternoon conversing on the Gospel. These two women are nearly converted and I feel it will not be long till they are baptized. While walking in the street I had quite a dizzy spell come on. Made me feel very uncomfortable.
Wednesday, Mayo 19, 1926
Buenos Aires – I typed quite a number of letters for Bro Ballard. I also wrote to May, and mailed the letter, with those I have written the last few days. They will leave here tomorrow. Had hair cut. In evening held good meeting in Liniers with about 40 present. Mostly children, however. My heart action has been exceptionally bad today, and I have felt very miserable.
Thursday, Mayo 20, 1926
Buenos Aires – I did a great deal of reading and studying. Finished reading volume one of Church History. At nine pm went with Bro Ballard to a furniture sale. Some good stuff sold very cheap. I continue to feel very depressed and worried. Today mail left for North America.
Friday, Mayo 21, 1926
Buenos Aires – Studied and read in the forenoon. We went and held a meeting at Mrs. Molares’ home at 4 pm. Just a few in attendance but very interested and we had a splendid meeting. I enjoyed a good spirit in speaking to the people. We stayed till Mr. Molares returned from work and had a short visit and talk with him.
Saturday, Mayo 22, 1926
Buenos Aires – Received a letter from May dated Apr 21. It must have come by the West Coast route. I wrote home and the letters will leave on Monday the 24th. We gave our Saturday night’s meeting for Children a trial but the film went bad, and then the kids went bad and Pandemonium broke loose. We are getting nowhere with the children in these hall meetings and I think we will have to keep them all out that do not come with their parents. Terrific rain at daylight.
Sunday, Mayo 23, 1926
Buenos Aires – We went to Friedrichs and held Sunday school with the Children and Bible reading class with adults. Splendid Bible class. German meeting and Sunday School in the Hall at 5 pm Spanish meeting at 7.30 pm for adults. About 35 out and a splendid spirit prevailed. I sold 2 Books of Mormon and gave away quite a number of tracts. Felt the day had been successful.
Monday, Mayo 24, 1926
Buenos Aires – It rained a steady downpour all day, and was raining when we went to bed. We bought 2 beds, 2 wool mattresses and four blankets for the Missionaries we are expecting. I read a great deal of Church History from 2 Volume. The day was dark and dreary and cold.
Tuesday, Mayo 25, 1926
Buenos Aires – Today is Independence day in Argentina. Bad day for celebration as it is very cold and rainy. We expected boat with Elders bur morning paper says storm delayed them and will not be in till tomorrow. We went at noon to Lamis to home of Bro and Sister Kullick and with most of German Saints had a fine dinner. Visited till 5 pm and returned home. I finished reading Volume 2 of Church history. Bad weather continued all day.
Wednesday, Mayo 26, 1926
Buenos Aires – Went early to dock to see if missionaries arrived only to learn that on acct of storm boat would not arrive till tomorrow. Recd furniture we had bought for missionaries. Went in pm to Friedrichs and held meeting. Fair success. Very cold all day.
Thursday, Mayo 27, 1926
Buenos Aires – Read a great deal of Church History. Read of terrible persecution of Prophet and Saints in Missouri. Was greatly impressed with spirit of Prophet through all and the wonderful wisdom of all his sayings and advice and counsel. At night received two letters from May, one from Rolfe, one from Elder Haymore. Also letters from Bp Pierce and Frank Harris. May also sent me a letter from Bernice. I received considerable comfort from these letters. Bro Ballard recd a letter from Pres. stating missionaries would leave N. York for B. Aires on May 15 on SS Van Dyke.
Friday, Mayo 28, 1926
Buenos Aires – I did a large family washing in the morning. It is so damp that although the sun shone brightly on the clothes all day, they were too wet to take in at night. This shows how humid this country is. We were at Mrs. Molares at 4 pm and held a good cottage meeting and a long conversation afterwards with her and Mrs Sifuentes. These two sisters are about converted and I think will be baptized before long. We received today many Deseret News and Church papers. I read considerable Church History.
Saturday, Mayo 29, 1926
Buenos Aires – Spent day in study of Church History. Finished reading vol. 3, and read considerable of vol. 4. Bro. Ballard bought an oil stove, which made our room much more comfortable. We held no meeting for children tonight, owing to their bad conduct last Saturday night.
Sunay, Mayo 30, 1926
Buenos Aires – Went to Friedrich’s in the morning and held Sunday School with 40 children and later Bible class with a small number of adults. Had dinner with Sister and Bro Friedrichs. German meeting in the hall at 5 pm. Spanish meeting at 7.30 pm. About 18 present. Very good attention and spirit.
Monday, Mayo 31, 1926
Buenos Aires – Today is the 80 anniversary of my father’s birth. He was born at Mt. Pisgah, Iowa, in a covered wagon. I typed quite a number of letters for Bro Ballard. Read and studied a great deal of Church history. Am now halfway through Vol. 4.
May has been a long, dreary month to me.
Pandemonium! Policemen!
I haven’t kept up very well the last couple of weeks; is this the first time the Kullicks have shown up in this diary?
There have one or two very brief mentions, not even as much as this entry where you can actually see them in your mind’s eye.
I’m teaching Primary today. I need a good story. I’m going to tell the kids about policemen when kids don’t behave.
That’s what struck me, too — Policemen? What a horrifying response. I keep trying to imagine the cultural context of this, but am still having trouble understanding why anyone would think this would be a good path to take. So what does he mean by “children”? are these irreverent 7 year olds or rowdy teenagers? What exactly are they doing that is so disruptive?
I cannot understand this at all.